Awhile back, I posted about finally deciding how I want to decorate the nursery. I've thought about this a lot over the past two years. And now I can't make up my mind. Three days ago, I had decided I wanted a pale green room and then, depending on the sex of Baby Taves, we would add blue or pink accents. And now I've found a new theme...and I think this one just might stick.
I am a sentimentalist/historian. I keep track of important dates and events from my past. I hang onto every birthday card. I have all the letters Mike has written to me. I often find myself thinking, "Oh, a year ago today (or five years ago today), such and such was happening...". I love remembering and reminiscing. When my parents were in Egypt, I was going through books, toys, clothes and photos that my mom kept. And then I hit the jackpot and found our stash of Dick and Jane readers. These are the books that I learned to read from. In one night. 'Cuz I'm that smart :-)
We had moved from Deschambault Lake to PA the summer before I started kindergarten. My mom was concerned that all the other kids were going to be able to read, so she sat down with me one evening with the "We Look And See" reader. In a very short time, I was reading the entire book, out loud, by myself. When I actually did get to kindergarten, none or very few of the other kids could read. I'm pretty sure this is what fostered my love of reading.
So, it only makes sense that my baby's nursery be a Dick and Jane theme. It would be unisex in colour, fabulously vintage and totally sentimental. I have already found material with which my mom can make the crib sheets, bumper and quilt. I will colour copy, enlarge and frame my favourite pictures from the books. I even found a Dick and Jane lamp made out of material. I also found an awesome book set that is held behind a little, white picket fence...too cute.
I really hope this idea sticks. It's too perfect to cast it aside for some of the chic/modern ideas I've tossed around lately :-)
That's an ADORABLE idea! Those lamps are fab
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am just a lurker to your blog -- I found it randomly while blog-hopping. Love your blog...
Anyways! I have a Dick & Jane nursery too! It is now 6 years old, has been used for 3 babies, both genders. It works great.
My nursery is painted a very light yellow, almost cream. The baby furniture is white. I painted the handles on the dresser sage green. Most of the baby blankets were yellow. Before I had the nursery decorated, a friend was like "so are you going to put up a border or something?" "Ummm, no."
I had an old Dick & Jane calendar. I used 2 of the photos and framed them with large Ikea frames, mattes painted sage green.
The room is very warm & inviting. All the kids loved it.
For the 1st baby, we didn't know what we were having, so we had a yellow top blanket. The 2nd was a girl, so she had a pink & green blanket, and we changed the lamp to pink/green/blue stripes. The 3rd was a boy, so he got a blue blanket and the other lamp back.
The theme will serve you well because it holds fond memories, plus it won't go out of style.
Where did you find the lamp from?
-Jessica
It is such a lovely idea, Jyl! I looked at the lamp and I figured out who Dick and Jane are. Unfortunately I don't think we have them in Italy. Are those books still available?
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica! Nice to "meet" you! Thanks so much for all the details on the nursery...it sounds wonderful! The lamp is just a linked picture...I found it on a nursery blog. I'm pretty sure I'd be able to build a replica if I can find all the right pieces. Those home reno shows make it look so easy!
ReplyDeleteValeria,
The old readers are almost considered antique now. I don't know if they are still printing books like that.
I think everything retro is starting to make a comeback though. I found a brand new Dick and Jane paint book at the grocery store last year.